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San Jose police under fire for failure to protect attendees of Trump rally

A man leaving a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump squares off against protesters following him as San Jose police watch on Thursday, June 2, 2016, in San Jose, Calif. A group of protesters attacked Trump supporters who were leaving the presidential candidate's rally in San Jose on Thursday night. A dozen or more people were punched, at least one person was pelted with an egg and Trump hats grabbed from supporters were set on fire on the ground. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

San Jose police under fire for failure to protect attendees of Trump rally

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — This Silicon Valley city and its police department are facing mounting complaints of a tepid and tardy law enforcement response to attacks of Donald Trump supporters after a political rally.

Videos circulating online show physical clashes occurring in front of San Jose police officers dressed in riot gear and standing stoically in a line outside the convention center where Trump spoke. Critics also complained that assaults occurred on side streets near the venue that lacked police presence.

The questions about the San Jose police response came while Trump launched a rally Friday afternoon in Redding, California, a politically conservative city 350 miles north of San Jose. Trump called those who attacked his supporters Thursday night a “bunch of thugs.”

San Jose police chief Eddie Garcia commended his officers’ response to the violence after the Thursday night rally, saying the 250 officers on hand showed “discipline and restraint.”

Garcia said uniformed officers refused to break from their “skirmish line” to break up nearby scuffles because they weren’t deemed life threatening and that “additional force can incite more violence in the crowd.”

GOPUSA Editor’s Note: Is this guy for real? He commends his officers for doing nothing?! People are getting assaulted right in front of them, and the police do nothing. What happened to “PROTECT and serve”? This guy should be fired if this is how he thinks people should be protected.

San Jose police arrested four people Thursday. One officer suffered minor injuries after a dozen or more people were punched and car windows were broken Thursday night. Trump hats grabbed from supporters were set on fire on the ground. At least one woman was pelted with an egg.

Police stood their ground at first but after about 90 minutes moved into the remaining crowd to break it up and make arrests.

(AP Photo/Noah Berger)

“Many of the attendees were attacked out in the open,” said Pete Constant, a former San Jose councilman and former police officer. “It appears that law enforcement was more focused on protecting private property.”

Thursday night’s crowd, which had numbered over 300 just after the rally, thinned significantly as the night went on, but those who remained near the San Jose Convention Center were rowdy and angry.

Some banged on the cars of Trump supporters as they left the rally and chased after those on foot.

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, a Democrat and Hillary Clinton supporter, criticized Trump for coming to cities and igniting problems that local police departments had to deal with.

“At some point Donald Trump needs to take responsibility for the irresponsible behavior of his campaign,” Liccardo told The Associated Press by phone.

Liccardo defended the police Friday.

“San Jose police officers performed admirably and professionally to contain acts of violence and protect individuals’ rights to assemble, protest and express their political views,” the mayor said.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere Friday in Redding was far calmer than in San Jose.

The region is fertile ground for Trump’s insurgent candidacy, where rural conservative residents often feel slighted by government officials in Sacramento, the state capital, and Washington, D.C.

“It’s about representation and it’s about making America great again,” said Jan Hanks of Shasta, a small town west of Redding.

Clinton and Democratic opponent Bernie Sanders also have scheduled campaign stops in California on Friday as they look to Tuesday’s state primary.

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Folks, the behavior of this mob, is exactly what liberalism looks like. NO one else can speak, or have rallies, but THEM. The mayor needs to lose his job, because he isn’t doing it! Was he paid by Soros or SEIU? His first job is to protect the citizens or maybe the sanctuary city needs to be abandoned and his illegals sent packing.

If I were Trump, I would have a staff person making a list and checking it twice of all the people, venues, municipalities, cities and states that have been openly antagonistic to American values and liberties as we know them, and treat them to a bit of their own medicine when it comes to distrobution of Federal Funds. I would also treat them to the full force of the Attorney General if the Law enforcement officials broke the law.

Clearly, their mandate for the night was “protect and serve all the anti Trump protestors.” And of course, you can’t get the AG involved, she will probably come here and give all the thugs awards or something.

At some point, “leaders” and police in these liberal hellholes need to do their JOBS without political or racial bias, I don’t really blame the police, as they were ordered to stand there and do nothing, as they often ARE in cities run by stinking Democrat liberals.

But the mayor is a DISGRACE, and trying to pin the blame on Trump for HIS refusal to do his job is reprehensible.

Or maybe they think if conservative, pro lifers attached people at an abortion clinic that would be OK. Would they stand by and let large groups throw eggs, punch people, destroy property all in the name of “free speech”. The left went crazy, with the media, when tea partiers gathered peacefully and shouted at law makers. No violence, no threats, no burning of anything, yet they were treated like terrorists. Time for the silent majority to stand up for what is right.

Oleteabag, I have a lot of respect for the police, but this is just so wrong. I don’t care if they were told to stand down or they’d lose their jobs. Violence against these Trump supporters was actual assault and, therefore, a crime. They should have intervened and arrested the criminals.

Very true. True Courage is doing the RIGHT thing even in the face of Adversity. So even if it MIGHT cost them their job, they should be doing the right thing and defending the rights of those Trump Supporters to show up and NOT get assaulted, spat at, robbed etc. And to be told by their political supervisors “Stand down”, was obviously an Unlawful order as it was telling them “Don’t Enforce the laws”.

Johnny, see the light of day. It was not the Trump supporters who were violent, it was the punks, bullies and other rabble from your BFF’s on the left who started and caused the problems. Additionally, you comment relating the dress of the woman in relation to rape also demonstrates your ignorance and sexist attitude toward women. There is no provocation or excuse for the crime of rape. It is not about the woman, how she dresses or anything to do with her. Rape is a crime of power and violence on the part of a person with a mental defect.

So what is Trump suppose to, tell the rioters to stop it? Trump is using the same voice that is drawing millions of Americans who agree with his message. God forbid that Trump supporters would get a belly full of the rioters and turn the tables on them but my fear is that it will happen if Trump supporters can no longer depend on being protected by the LAW ENFORCERS. It sickens me to see the illegals burning our flag which we honor and flying their flag ..oops I forgot they think Calif. is part of their country. How do we really get our country back. Our brave men and women did not fight and die for this. Please God help and bless this country again…or will You since we have kicked You out of everything You so blessed.

How on earth do you possibly feel that your analogy makes any sense. Trump has done nothing but bring out the worst in Americans and encourage white supremacy again! Which he should be taking full responsibility for. A female wearing a short skirt is NOT asking a sick, twisted and mentally unhealthy person to rape her. I honestly feel sympathy for the good ole’ USA citizens that actually believe the words that come out of Trumps mouth.

ltpar:
“Johnny, see the light of day. It was not the Trump supporters who were violent, it was the punks, bullies and other rabble from your BFF’s on the left …relating the dress of the woman in relation to rape also demonstrates your ignorance …”

Seriously, Itpar?!? Before you tell someone to ‘see the light’ you really should read the article, and pay attention to the quotation marks in Johnny’s comment. He is QUOTING what the mayor said, and replying with a ridiculous scenario to show how ridiculous the mayor’s statement was.

Sally3 – No, Trump does not: “.. Trump has done nothing but bring out the worst in Americans and encourage white supremacy again!”

That would be dear old Obama.

Fact 1 – Do you know there has been more rioting, looting and such since Obama has taken office then in the past 40 years? Ya, go check it out, I dare you.

Fact 2 – You do realize that most of these “protestors” are PAID to go here and there to do just this? Ya, go check that out too, I dare you. HINT: George Soros is behind these to a good degree.

GOOGLE THIS: Ferguson rioter demand they get paid. I dare you!

Fact 3 – There now has been some investigation, because certain individuals are being seen at way to many “protests”. Google that, I dare you!

No, Trump is not a “white supremacist”, there is simply ZERO evidence of that. ZERO!
I really think you need to stop drinking the kook-aid and stop being spoon-fed the lies that you apparently been reading and or listening to.

Here is proof about the “White Supremacy” falsehood you promote:
Google – Lynne Patton … and please note her title and job with Trump and her color.

Sorry you post is just full of ignorant falsehoods that show you are being spoon fed and obviously NOT even bothering to do any independent homework to verify what you are being told is indeed LIES and FALSEHOODS.

Probably so, that’s the way these socialist/liberal/marxist idiots think.I would love to have seen about 20 or 30 guys about like the one in the picture with the Trump shirt on, jump these thuds & beat the living crap out of them. The police would probably have jumped in then, & protected these little brats to keep them form getting their butts kicked. I am so sick of seeing the anarchy going on against the American patriots. It’s OK for the left to get out there & incite rights, destroy private property or anything else their little punk hearts desire, but you let the conservative patriots try to go some place where they can have a little fun & listen to someone who gives them an ear & someone like this —-hole mayor blames all the chaos on DT for inciting these people with his “hate” speech. They do not wish to play by the same rules they demand from the Trump supporters. If I were going to a Trump rally, I would carry some wasp spray or fire-extinguisher with me, & if anyone messed with me, I would give it to them right in the face.

“Law Enforcement” will do WHATEVER they are told, as long as that paycheck keeps comin’ in. They work for that GD mayor, and are quite willing to suck Hillary whenever he tells them to do so. He is surely NOT about to tell them to touch the terrorists.

The stench is overwhelming. And it smells like pig. May every one of them soon burn in hell where they so truly belong.

The liberal mayor is a ***! Deserves to be put out of office. Did he get his jollies watching those people be bludgeoned? THis is what a Hillary supporter looks like. He must really like his paid illegals.

Many of these thugs have been seen at Trump rallies all over the U.S. Who is funding them? Why aren’t the police arresting them for breaking the law, destroying private property and inciting a riot? Instead, they are egging them on and blaming Trump! But what would you expect when our own federal attny. general refuses to enforce the laws of this great land.

The answer to your question is obvious, liberty49. Some are funded by the DoJ, under orders from Loretta Lynch. Some are funded by Soros. Some are funded by Hillary. Some are funded by Bernie. And still others are funded by the Koch brothers, who would FAR prefer Hillary to Trump.

The cops in San Jose should have their guns, batons, pepper spray and TAZERs removed … and just left with their helmets and shields.
Equipped this way, they can perform as ‘demonstration monitors’, since they are incapable of acting like a police force.

As ‘demonstration monitors’ their only duty would be to inform people that “there is a demonstration”.

liberty49, the globalist political establishment is determined to stop Trump at ANY COST, because he is not one of them, and will not advance their agenda to dissolve the United States and make us part of their NWO globalist empire. They are SO close to achieving this goal–and Hillary will finish the job, so the idea that she might not win just makes them all CRAZY!

Mexico is determined to stop Trump because the #2 source of income in Mexico is illegals in the US sending money back home to Mexico. This represents a MASSIVE transfer of wealth–BILLIONS of DOLLARS a year being taken out of the US economy and exported to Mexico. Of COURSE they don’t want our borders secured or our immigration laws enforced!

I suspect that BOTH these entities are working together in their attempts to bring down Trump. And of course the lickspittle CRAVEN liberal media are the mouthpieces spreading their narrative that Trump is “divisive” and “racist” and “inciting violence.”

It’s disgraceful and appalling!! The constitution writers are turning in their graves. Every politician deserves the right to speak and people deserve the right hear without being assaulted and intimidated. Partisan politics by the mayor and police mirror those of the most tyrannical despicable regimes throughout history.

California is close to being “fundamentally transformed” into a Third World country. I’m not sure the illegals there don’t ALREADY outnumber the natives. This is a preview of what the entire US will become, unless we put a stop to this UNRESTRICTED FLOOD of illegals entering the US.

The globalists want a “Trans-American union” similar to the EU, with all borders in North and South America dissolved and one big government over all–as a part of their drive toward the NWO globalist empire of their power-mad dreams. The BEST way for them to accomplish that is the continued unimpeded flood of illegals coming into the US, making our borders meaningless, and transforming our culture from Judeo-Christian/Western to Third World Latino and/or Islamic.

Roughly 8% of CA’s reported to be illegal immigrants. So not quite at the half way mark. BUT that’s also ONLY using the # of Known illegals there. So with the ‘unknown’ #s added it might be closer to 25%.

Such a sorry state of affairs; police won’t protect you, and in California, where you are lucky if the state will allow you to carry a weapon, you are simply a victim. Move to a state where you can protect yourself. Try Arizona.

I’m so embarrassed by what happened…I live in one town over and honestly wasn’t surprised. I look forward to relocating to Arizona or Texas where they still believe in the Constitution and freedom of speech for all opinions. I’ll rent out my house at a premium to the progressives though.

I think the opposite, if more and more Constitution following conservatives move to a place like this, maybe we could turn California to at least a more neutral state, maybe even a conservative one.

I wonder aha the mayor would say next time if conservatives showed up outnumbering the thugs, and defend themselves and each other. Not by burning hats or hitting people, but b/c of their numbers. Two thugs will pick on one person, but they will get a firm “back off” if two of them tried to pick on 6 people all walking together.

San Jose Mayor Sam and the Police Chief Eddie Garcia need to step down from office. If they do not a recall from the American citizens of San Jose should take place, forcing these two incompetent people out.

Trouble is, MadeinAmerica, San Jose residents are, for the most part, either illegals like the ones in these “demonstrations” or liberal IDIOTS who support unlimited illegals coming in. The mayor and police chief in San Jose would not DARE to behave as they did, if they did not have the tacit support of the rest of the city. This is yet another product of the BRAINWASHING in public schools and colleges that teach young people to hate their own country and culture as EVIL and seek to replace it with whatever the brainwashers tell them is “good”.

Garcia and Liccardo are each a ***. If you know the way to San Jose, drop a bomb on it. I must say, each time I see one of these anti-Trump riots on the news, I like the man even more. Just look at the garbage that opposes him.

It is a fine irony, is it not, that these “demonstrators”–who are paid to disrupt Trump rallies so the media can point to them and scream that Trump is “divisive”, “racist” and “inciting violence”–are attempting to discredit Trump, and all they are doing is increasing support for Trump by verifying everything he has said about illegal immigration being harmful to the US! And the media “coverage” of these events is opening people’s eyes to how dishonest and biased the media is, so they are accomplishing the EXACT OPPOSITE of what they desire to do!

To the people that were assaulted by the mob and especially the young lady that was trapped and hit with eggs, bottles and food—sue the city into oblivion! The liberal Democrat Mayor tried to blame Trump supports and I read a report where he told the police to stand down. I hope he can be sued individually as well as the city at large. Liberals and Democrats–that mob–supporting Hillary–is a perfect example of what you get when you elect them. The cowardly San Jose Mayor really pi**es me off. It it his duty to provide safety for the people.

Yes she can sue both on the level you spoke.
It’s been done successfully many times. The venue will need to be moved.
This seems to be the best legislation and representation the people have today.
Attacking people’s livelihood, justifiably or not has worked and changed policies.
Wonder if Liberty Council has the Manpower to represent her. If not and your not a supporter of Liberty Council, would you join and can you contribute?

The San Jose police did Nothing to protect innocent people attending a rally Some were savagely attacked You Libtardds should be proud These are Paid George Soros Thugs and deserve to be Shot Once you shoot one the rest will run and cry to mommy George

These are not protests, they are riots. They need to end. Every single one of those animals should of been put in a wagon and taken to be arraigned immediately. They should of been put in jail, and if they were illegal sent back to where they came from pronto. This is America. No flag should be seen except the American flag and it should be treated with respect. If you feel another way, go back to where you came from.

No part of These United States belongs to Mexico, no matter what your twisted mind thinks. If it was, you wouldn’t be getting the American’s tax dollars!! And we will never give any part of our country to anyone.

That prejudice mayor needs to go along with the police chief. Anyone hurt should sue for everything they can get. Yes, there is a price for not doing your job! You should feel shame for letting those animals attack innocent men and woman. You show no respect for lives or the office you hold.

WE need to put an end to this. I’m sure none of the victims could of protected themselves due to California’s gun laws, but we do have the right to protect ourselves. There is talk of guns and knives being taken to these riots, so prepare to protect yourself and those you love. You can’t count on anyone else.

Let Republicans try this and all heck would break loose. The news would be all over it. We tend to show personal restraint. We don’t threaten anyone. We are not animals. Then again, we are not stooges, we are not stupid, we are not sitting ducks.

This is shameful for all those involved and those that sat on the sidelines and did nothing!

San Jose Police: a display of pathetic cowardice unworthy of a law enforcement officer uniform and badge. They each individually deserve a yellow stripe representing cowardice on their badges for the rest of their careers. A disgusting display that I hope I never have to see again in the USA as long as I live. They should have just stayed home in their living rooms where they would have stayed safe and not displayed their shame for the entire world to see.

They were there specifically to protect the illegal invaders in case any Trump supporter had dared defend themselves against the assault. And would have enthusiastically done so. After all, they know full well who signs their paycheck.

They are typical of “Law Enforcement” officers across this entire country, at ALL levels.

Great comment Dennis. I am now looking at the convention and if things get so unAmerican after a Trump rally just think of what it could be during the convention…can you say National Guards. Correct me if I’m wrong but I am sure I read that concealed weapons were being considered for the convention. Our nation is so divided I don’t know where this is going to end but there is still time for planning on both sides, I’m afraid. Someone blogged not long ago and said, “could this become the 20th century’s civil war? Instead of the blue and gray it will be against the red and blue”..oh yes and the purple. What a horrible and unbelieving mess and to think Hillary, Berney and Soros could be the ones behind this and two of them are running for President.

Mastimf, that DOES make me wonder how quickly those cops would have responded to protect the “so called rights of those rioters”, had a Trump supporter defended them selves and beaten a few down after THEY got physical with him (Or her)..

Its more un American behavior by foreigners…ie police chief GARCIA. Because in America we welcome free speech and differing opinions. Foreigners want to overrun the US and make it something else…thats why they wave other nations flags and burn US flags at these protests.

I read that Mexico is instigating these “demonstrations” in border states, and I find that credible. SOMEBODY is feeding these angry invaders a line of BS that the US “stole” these border states from Mexico and so they are entitled to take them BACK. You HEAR them SPOUTING this BS in their demonstrations! The truth is, Mexico was paid MILLIONS of dollars for those territories. Also, Gen. Winfield Scott fought his way to Mexico City and had CONQUERED their country. We COULD have, by rights, taken their whole DAMNED country as the spoils of war, but gave it BACK TO THEM, so they have a lot of NERVE claiming they’re “entitled” to any PART of the US.

When you consider the #2 source of income in Mexico is illegals in the US sending money back to Mexico, you can see that Mexico has a LOT to lose if Trump is elected and the US actually starts ENFORCING its immigration laws and securing its southern border. Mexico is robbing us blind! They dump all their social problems in the US—illegals who come with NO intent to assimilate, either get welfare and live off the American taxpayer or work under the table. They then take BILLIONS out of our economy and ship it back to Mexico. This is “wealth redistribution” on a MASSIVE scale.

The Liberal narrative that Trump is “divisive” and “inciting violence” then pointing to THESE “demonstrations” as proof ALSO needs to stop. It’s a LIE, like most everything the LYING media says about Trump.

Which is a point many of us made, when That has been former president of Mexico made the threat of an economic war with the US if trump ever won.. That they would lose a hell of a lot more than we ever would.

These are exactly the tactics used by Hitler’s Brown Shirts thugs to subdue and prevent political opposition in 1931. It’s despicable that both the mayor and police chief would offer such blatantly biased and unprofessional justification for their non-action. Would have required gunfire, knife attacks, and clubbing by the thugs to qualify as “life threatening” actions. And for the idiot of a mayor to blame Trump for the problem is simply to tell the goons that their actions are acceptable and within the limits of tolerance in San Jose. I think we all know what he and his police chief would have done if exactly the same thing had been done by Trump supporter at a Clinton rally. This Nation had better prepare itself to deal with more of this behavior if Clinton is elected, as 250 years of American culture, heritage, traditions,. ethics and identity are flushed into the sewer. It will be he culmination of what Obama and his minions have already set in motion

Start at the top and begin a demotion process. They have violated their code “To Protect” . How can the Mayor and his council not react to change the Dept heads innocent people intimidated etc – Thugs and mob mentality should be acceptable in San Jose

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo is in total control of the police. DA cops do what he wants.
Does San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo have any ties to LaRaza? Just asking.
My guess is that DA mayor can’t stand Trump. Just a wild guess. I mean its CA and almost part of Mexico these days.

When a country is being run by a Muslim un-American individual such as Obama, and he directs the USA JUSTICE DEPARTMENT to ignore Laws, and follow his Dictatorial wishes, then how can you expect anything different from these state and city Democratic followers of Obama, i.e. the Mayors, and their subordinates?
They are all under orders to ignore existing laws and Illegals, laws that govern illegals presence furthermore they provide Sanctuaries City’s for them to live in, with free food medical and shelter.
That’s why the Americans are looking to TRUMP to clean out, and clean up this situation.

“PEACEFUL PROTESTORS” have good manners and are RESPECTFUL of the RIGHTS of others.
The TRUMP RIOTERS, are DOMESTIC TERRORISTS and should be treated as such.

The RIGHT to PEACEABLY ASSEMBLE does not include the ‘right’ to assemble for the specific purpose of committing violent acts.

It’s time for the TRUMP SUPPORTERS to begin filing class action lawsuits against the NON-responsive police, the chiefs of police, the mayors and any government officials that allow these MOBS to harass and assault the Trump Supporters.

O agree. FLOOD the court system with so damn many class action lawsuits, that these cretins will spend the rest of their days in office up to their necks in paperwork… BEFORE they get sent to jail for all their illegal acts.

The more I read and see on t.v. about what happened at the liberal riot conducted by the Trump haters the more angry it makes me. One picture–the police standing against the wall while a Trump supporter is surrounded by thugs. Is it their duty to hold up the wall or protect the people? San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo–how did this clown get his job? Apparently he doesn’t understand his oath of office, the Constitution and particularly the 1st Amendment. The police–sure the clown Mayor is their boss but their sworn duty is to protect and serve. Not kiss the behind of the mayor.